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(No Model.)

H. S. ,HAGGARD.

RAILROAD .GAR TABLE.

Patented July 8, 1890.

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UNITED STATES HENRY S. I-IAGGARD,

PATENT OEFIGE.

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO LOUIS K. GILLSON, OF SAME PLACE.

RAI LROAD-CAR TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,580, dated July 8, 1890.

Application filed June 18, 1889. Serial No. 314,758. (No model.) N

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LHENRY S. HAGGARD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tables for Railway-Cars, for which I desire to secure Letters Patent, and of which the following is a specification.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a flexible table capable of being suspended between the seats in railway-cars for the convenience of passengers in playing cards, taking lunch, &c., and which, when not in use, can be readily folded for storing in a pocket. or valise.

In the accompanying drawings, which I rnakea part of this specification,Figu rel shows a perspective of my table in position for use. Fig. 2 shows the table'folded. Fig. 3 shows a portion of the outer covering removed, revealing the stiffening material; and Fig. 4 is a view of the device employed in securing the supporting-strin gs in the back supportingsockets on the seat-arms.

My improved table A is rectangular in shape and is made of any suitable flexible material, preferably of soft clothas billiardtable cloth-backed with a stouter cloth. If desired, the several corners may be rounded. It will be found advisable to introduce a stiffening-board B in the corners, whereby a firm surface is secured for writing, while the table is not rendered bulky when folded. This stiffening board may be of wood, tin, tarboard, or other material.

At the several corners of the .table are securely attached the cords C O C C, by means of which the table-A is suspended between the seat-arms D. These cords may be of twine, rope, wire, or any other material possessing flexibility and strength, and should be of sufficient length to insure the adjustment of the table to all of the various styles of car-seats.

The cord 0 may, if desired, be tied to the seat arms; but it is much more desirable to fasten them to the sockets or rests'd, provided for the support of the seat-back. For the purpose of sO-securi'ng the cords I use'a small rubber wedge E, perforated longitudinally at e to receive the cord, which is inserted from the smaller end of the wedge. By forcing the wedge E into the socket (Z the hole 0 is reduced in size and prevents the cord C from slipping through. The table is drawn taut by releasing one or more of the wedges E from the sockets cl, sliding it along the cord, and returning it to the socket: By making the Wedge E in the form of an oblong rectangle in cross-section, with each pair of its opposing sides converging, a double wedge is formed, so that it will certainly be adapted to all of the sizes of supportingsoekets in use in railway-cars. By'prolonging the small end of the wedge as a small tube, so as to insure its protrusion beyond the socket d, the cord 0 will be relieved from frictional contact with the sharp edges of the socket, and the wedge will also more securely hold the cord.

The clasp F may be placed at the ends of the table for the purpose of stiffening its surface when in use, but is not indispensable. The simple form of clasp shown consists of a piece of sheet metal, oblong in shape, folded to fit snugly over the end of the table, one

side being prolonged beyond the other to receive the rivet f, by which it ispivotally secured to the table. A small recess a in the end of the table immediately back of the clasp F houses it when the table is folded. I do not limit myself to the form of stiffening device described, as any other will be equally applicable. A rod carried in sockets along the end of the table will serve the purpose.

A series of holes, as G G, across the ends of the table or in any other desired position, will conveniently serve for tallying the points in a game, a match, toothpick, or other small stick being inserted for that purpose.

I have described the form of table which I regard as the most desirable. A table consisting of aseri-es of slats of wood glued to a strong cloth would come within the scope of my invention, and would possess some advan- 5 tages over the form of construction I have shown and more fully described, though it could not be so compactly" folded.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. As a new article of manufacture, a flexible table substantially rectangular in form, provided at its several corners with cords,

adapted to engage in the back-supporting sockets of a car-seat, substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a flexible table substantially rectangular in form, having a stiffening-board in each of its corand elastic wedges perforated to slide upon said cords and adapted to fit within the back:

I supporting sockets or stops of a railway-car each of said cords carrying a sliding clasp seat, substantially as described.

4. In combination with aflexible table having suspending-cords, whereby it may be HENRY S. HAGGARD.

Witnesses:

SPENCER WARD, JOHN C. WEBER. 

